Harry Kooros
For six months, I’m lucky enough to be travelling around the world with my partner, touching all continents except Antarctica. This is shaping up to be a life-changing trip.
While in Vietnam in March, I joined the final day of one of Mr Biker Saigon’s cycling tours in Ninh Binh, near the nation’s capital, Hanoi. Mr Biker Saigon is a cycling tour operator that hosts rides across Vietnam and Cambodia, offering everything from custom one-day tours to multi-week grand adventures.
The tour I joined was a 16-day ride from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, cycling through some of the most epic—and toughest—roads Vietnam offers. The Canadian group of riders on the tour were sad that it was ending and couldn’t stop talking about how much fun it had been. Over lunch with the group, I learned they were riding for a Canadian charity called the No Ordinary Journey Foundation, raising money for people with cerebral palsy in Southeast Asia. Working with Mr Biker Saigon, they’re planning more tours in the coming months and years, with the next two set to take place in Cambodia later this year.
The Team
The ride was supported by an exceptional team of Vietnamese cyclists, with the guides speaking fluent English. There was always a lead, a sweep rider, and a mechanic on hand for any issues on the road. A truck carried all the equipment—bikes, helmets, food, and water—to and from each starting location, while a bus always followed the riders with their belongings.
The Equipment
Mr Biker Saigon offers electric and non-electric bikes (or acoustic, as I like to call them) in a full range of sizes. I was given a Trek Marlin 6, a hardtail aluminium mountain bike. While not typically a bike I’d ride back home, it was perfect for the terrain we were facing and was in excellent, well-maintained condition.
The Day
For many of the riders, this tour was one of several they had completed around the world over the years. Group members mentioned how diverse this tour was, offering not just cycling, but also cultural and other non-cycling experiences along the way. Having local guides who truly knew the country and its history helped showcase each region to the riders as they travelled through.
Arriving at the hotel in the morning, I was quickly fitted to my bike, and we were given our daily briefing. While the forecast suggested a rainy day ahead, the team was well-equipped, and spirits were high. For the final day of the tour, the Mr Biker Saigon team had planned something special, combining cycling, hiking, and a scenic boat ride before a transfer back to Hanoi.
We started with a 25 km ride on the outskirts of Ninh Binh, taking in some incredible scenery—from endless rice paddy fields to jaw-dropping limestone cliffs. After the ride, we visited the Mua Caves, where we climbed countless steps to take in the most breathtaking views of the Tam Coc River and the rice paddies of Gia Vien.
We stopped for an amazing lunch at a local restaurant back in Ninh Binh before heading to our final activity of the day: a boat tour along the Tam Coc River. The one-hour round trip was filled with stunning views of the mountainous landscape and the intricate cave systems we passed through.
As we drove back to Hanoi to wrap up the tour, our guide filled our minds with stories of the region’s rich history and culture, sharing some of his personal highlights from the trip.
For anyone looking for a unique way to explore Southeast Asia, Mr Biker Saigon delivers an unforgettable cycling experience for people from all walks of life. Our final day in Ninh Binh was just a glimpse of what they offer, and after this taste, I’m seriously tempted to sign up for a full tour with them next year. For more information and to book your next adventure, visit their website.
